If you’re thinking of using a phonics reading scheme of decodable books, you may be wondering how to choose one. Here are some questions you should be asking.

Is the overall phonic progression in the scheme clear?

It should be.

Is the phonic focus of each book clear?

It should be.

Do children read each story by decoding, or by guessing words from the pictures?

Readers should be encouraged to decode, not guess.

Is the text repetitive?

It shouldn’t be. Children are clever at figuring out what is coming next, so repetitive texts encourage guesswork.

Are there too many high-frequency words that children can’t read?

There shouldn’t be, even if they’re repeated again and again. High-frequency words should be introduced in a gradual way, starting with those that are more decodable (e.g ‘has’ and ‘is’). That way, children get into the habit of decoding rather than guessing.

Are there enough books at each level?

There should ideally be a variety, to enable practice and consolidation. Most children need practice of new phonemes learned, and having more than one book at each level is an advantage.

Are the books fun to read?

Children should want to read the books, and enjoy them. Even a structured phonics scheme should be motivating and fun.